Systems and Methods for Pre-Ignition Moisture Removal in Heating Alliances

Abstract

Systems and methods for pre-ignition moisture removal in heating appliances are provided. The heating appliance may be configured, prior to initiating a combustion process using a combustion system of the heating appliance, to determine whether a flame sensing unit is producing false positive outputs. In some instances, such false positive outputs may be caused by moisture within the combustion cabinet of the heating appliance. To attempt to eliminate any false positive outputs, the heating appliance may perform ana action to expel the moisture from the combustion cabinet. For example, an inducer may be activated to expel the moisture using airflow. This ensures that the flame sensing unit is producing accurate data before the combustion process is initiated.

1 . A method comprising:
 determining, by a processor of a heating appliance, that a flame sensing unit for detecting a flame within a combustion cabinet of the heating appliance is producing a false positive output;   determining, by the processor, that moisture is present within the combustion cabinet; and   causing, by the processor, at a first time, and based on determining that moisture is present within the combustion cabinet, a component of the heating appliance to perform an action to reduce an amount of the moisture in the combustion cabinet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the flame sensing unit is producing the false positive output is performed before a combustion process of the heating appliance. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, by the processor and at a second time, that the flame sensing unit is no longer producing a false positive output; and   initiating a pre-purge or a combustion process within the heating appliance.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the flame sensing unit is producing a false positive output comprises:
 determining, by the processor, that a gas valve of the combustion cabinet is closed; and   determining, by the processor, that the flame sensing unit is producing an output indicating a flame is present.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that moisture is present within the combustion cabinet is further based on data from one or more sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the component of the heating appliance to perform the action further comprises activating an inducer motor of the heating appliance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, by the processor, that moisture is still detected within the combustion cabinet after a threshold period of time has elapsed; and   producing an alert.   
     
     
         8 . A heating appliance comprising:
 a flame sensing unit for detecting a flame within a combustion cabinet of the heating appliance; and   a processor configured to:
 determine that the flame sensing unit is producing a false positive output; 
 determine that moisture is present within the combustion cabinet; and 
 cause, at a first time and based on determining that moisture is present within the combustion cabinet, a component of the heating appliance to perform an action to reduce an amount of the moisture in the combustion cabinet. 
   
     
     
         9 . The heating appliance of  claim 8 , wherein determining that the flame sensing unit is producing the false positive output is performed before a combustion process of the heating appliance. 
     
     
         10 . The heating appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine, at a second time, that the flame sensing unit is no longer producing a false positive output; and   initiate a combustion process within the heating appliance.   
     
     
         11 . The heating appliance of  claim 8 , wherein determining that the flame sensing unit is producing the false positive output comprises:
 determine that a gas valve of the combustion cabinet is closed; and   determine that the flame sensing unit is producing an output indicating a flame is present.   
     
     
         12 . The heating appliance of  claim 8 , wherein determining that moisture is present within the combustion cabinet is further based on data from one or more sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The heating appliance of  claim 8 , wherein causing the component of the heating appliance to perform the action further comprises activating an inducer motor of the heating appliance. 
     
     
         14 . The heating appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine that moisture is still detected within the combustion cabinet after a threshold period of time has elapsed; and   produce an alert.   
     
     
         15 . A heating appliance comprising:
 a sensor for detecting a flame within the heating appliance; and   a processor configured to:
 determine, prior to initiating a combustion process of the heating appliance, that the sensor is producing a false positive output; and 
 cause, at a first time and based on determining that the sensor is producing the false positive output, a component of the heating appliance to perform an action to reduce an amount of moisture in the heating appliance. 
   
     
     
         16 . The heating appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine, at a second time, that the sensor is no longer producing a false positive output; and   initiate a pre-purge or the combustion process within the heating appliance.   
     
     
         17 . The heating appliance of  claim 15 , wherein determining that the sensor is producing the false positive output comprises:
 determine that a gas valve of the heating appliance is closed; and   determine that the sensor is producing an output indicating a flame is present.   
     
     
         18 . The heating appliance of  claim 15 , wherein determining that moisture is present within the heating appliance is further based on data from one or more sensors. 
     
     
         19 . The heating appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more sensors include at least one of: a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, and a moisture sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The heating appliance of  claim 15 , wherein causing the component of the heating appliance to perform an action further comprises activating an inducer motor of the heating appliance.